​Maureen Wilks

​

Artist, Photographer, Writer

​​Ringneck Snake

Ringneck Cross

30x30 in

Canvas

In 2008 hiking up a dry arroyo west of Socorro I came across an 18” long Ringneck Snake. At first glance this snake appears to be a rather dull grey but when you pick it up the underside is a beautiful brilliant yellow that turns orange and then bright red at the tip of the tail. When the snake is under attack it flips over onto its back to reveal these vivid colors to deter predators, who associate red and orange with the highly venomous Arizona Coral Snake. I began to create images with these photos in 2009. I turned back to them in 2016 to create the Ringneck Cross, Ringneck Queen and Ringneck King.